A first visit to Dr Melanie Edwards focuses on the child getting to know the dentist. It will include information about risk factors for dental disease, eating habits and general oral healthcare. It may be necessary at this stage to take x-rays. From there we develop an individual treatment plan best suited to the child and family.

We provide services for children with healthy teeth as well as those who have problems. The general trend towards aesthetics and preventive care is important as the best looking teeth are those that are absolutely clean and healthy.

Our philosophy is about making each visit to the dentist child orientated, helping children to avoid the fears associated with dentistry.

Please take a little time to read our suggestions of Do's and Don'ts:

Do...

Tell your child they are going to the dentist

Tell your child the dentist will count their teeth

You could also say that the dentist will show them how to brush their teeth or take a picture of their teeth

Use positive words such as fun, exciting and play

Don't...

Say "there is nothing to worry about"

Say "don't be afraid/frightened"

Say "it wont hurt"These type of statements imply that it might hurt.

Say "the dentist will tell you off if you have not cleaned your teeth"

The feeling of 'must win the gift' is a great pressure on a child.

If you are nervous about visiting the dentist yourself... it is better to say as little as possible.

Even before teething starts, it is advisable to condition the child to oral cleaning after food or nutritional bottle feeding (i.e. non-clear liquids).

As soon as the first two teeth on the lower jaw have come through, just add a soft baby brush mornings and evenings with just a “smear” of fluoride containing toothpaste.

At what age should I bring my child for the first visit to the dentist?

At your routine examination bring your child along to get them accustomed to the surgery environment. An initial examination can be carried out when the teeth first start to appear. Then depending on the needs of the child, we like to see them twice a year. That way we can catch signs of proneness to decay or crooked teeth and develop a prevention strategy in time to make a difference.

Are there any signs to look out for while teething that may affect them in the future?

Most teething problems are transient and though uncomfortable at the moment (pain and fever, crankiness) do not usually have long term effects. One sign of possible proneness to tooth decay would be yellowish teeth at a very early age, most likely due to a build-up of plaque. Some children have very chalky looking teeth, or variations in surface colour; both should be seen by a dentist early, in order to rule out enamel defects and possible weaknesses in the teeth.

Should we be concerned about comfort blankets or toys being put in to the mouth?

Yes and No. Yes because accidents can happen with these objects in the mouth; milk teeth can actually be pulled by siblings or parents yanking on a blanket which is in the mouth of a young child and caught on one of the delicate lower front teeth. Teeth break more readily when a child falls on his chin with a toy between the teeth. On the other hand, one does not really have to worry about bacteria from these objects per se, because they are of a different sort than the bacteria which live in the mouth and cause decay. They are more likely to catch a cold virus from the child who had it before, than tooth decay.

How often should they brush their teeth?

Twice daily is a must, from the first tooth on.

Do you offer diet advice?

Yes, there are many small details in diet which make a difference in the number and severity of “acid attacks” on the teeth. One example is that toast with butter and marmalade is less cariogenic (decay causing) than toast with marmalade without butter!

What are the general typical treatments you offer a child of this age?

Most children have healthy teeth at this age, but we are interested in analysing the probability of future difficulties so we look carefully at the growth, development and inherited aspects of the mouth and teeth in order to specifically advise parents on raising their children with healthy and beautiful teeth.

An important “first treatment” is tooth brushing and flossing advice and support, including professional cleanings ensuring the child’s mouth has few bacteria, good saliva and the right minerals available to harden the teeth. Other typical areas of concern for the parents are dummy dependence, thumb-sucking, bad breath, grinding of the teeth, crowding or other appearance issues.

When children’s teeth are loose should we pull them out, leave them or show the dentist?

Ideally the milk teeth will become so loose and bothersome, that the child wants his parent or dentist to help remove it. If it hangs on too long, it may hinder the child in eating or brushing properly which has a detrimental effect on the whole mouth.

Of course often the tooth falls out or “disappears” while eating (not a problem, it will pass naturally). When the tooth buds are crowded in a small jaw, sometimes they break through into the mouth by slipping past the milk tooth instead of resorbing it. These teeth stand in double row behind the milk teeth and should be assessed by a dentist as to whether or not they need to be removed.

Sometimes a child doesn’t have the adult tooth (inherently missing adult teeth). When teeth are suspiciously late in erupting, an X-ray will clear up the question and help the dentist to provide advice on consequences.

Are there any provisions we should make before adult teeth start appearing i.e. diet, brushing?

It is important to know that during teething, the mouth is more prone to plaque accumulation (because the child may not be brushing as well due to discomfort and also because the niches and pockets at the gum line are increased due to erupting teeth).

Also parents and children should know that new teeth are not completely mature in the sense that the enamel is still a bit soft just after coming through. The natural saliva in the mouth plays an important role in the final hardening of these new immature teeth as the mineral content of saliva varies widely. Some additional fluoride at this point is very advantageous.

How often should they visit the dentist?
Twice yearly is standard and the minimum. If the parents have problems (gum disease, “bad teeth”) or the children have had a history of decay, 3 or even 4 times a year is beneficial because the increased frequency of cleanings is advantageous to the oral microbiology.

How often should they brush their teeth?

Twice daily, properly, mandatory, no questions asked, no exceptions made! Brushing longer is always better than shorter. Two minutes with an electric toothbrush is the minimum. Three minutes by hand.

What age should they start flossing?

There is not a specific age; it is dependent upon the natural anatomy of the teeth (which is inherited).

Will sucking fingers effect the development of the teeth, i.e. straightness?

Yes indeed, it is a bad habit and will make buck teeth! Sucking pencils as well!

What are the general typical treatments you offer a child of this age?

Ideally children should be in a prevention scheme to ensure that their home tooth brushing is adequate and if need be, supported by a hygienist. When indicated, X-rays are necessary to access the hidden in-between areas so vulnerable at this age.

Orthodontic treatment is sometimes initiated when crooked teeth or misaligned jaws develop because of inherited tendencies. When decay is present, early detection is essential so that modern materials like white composite fillings can be made. Even severely damaged teeth (through accidents or decay) can be reconstructed and saved.

Are there any concerns to look out for when adult teeth are coming through i.e. gum colour, straightness?

The colour of the enamel often gives important information about the hardness of the tooth. The chewing surface of the tooth is either flat or deeply fissured (biscuits leave brown spots in all the chewing surfaces); a sealant will reduce the tooth surface at danger and protect the tooth from decay. Most children have teeth that are a bit crooked at the beginning. It will improve with growth and development but few children have naturally straight teeth.

What should I do if my child falls and breaks or damages a tooth; do you offer emergency dental care?

For any tooth trauma contact us straight away. We will take you on immediately. The two most important things to remember when a tooth accident happens are:

TIME matters, get to a good dentist ASAP. Secondly – look for and bring all pieces of tooth you can find.

First Aid for a knocked out tooth

Baby teeth:

Do not re-implant this tooth. Call reception to make an emergency appointment.

Adult Tooth:

1. Do not touch the root of the tooth. Handle the crown only.

2. Rinse the tooth off only if there is dirt covering it. Do not scrub or scrape the tooth.

3. Attemp to re-implant the tooth into the socket with gentle pressure and hold it in position.The best chance of tooth survival is if you do this at home straight away.

4. If unable to do this yourself, place it in a container of milk. This will hydrate and nourish the root. Do not wrap in tissue. The tooth should never be allowed to dry.

Anything that doesn’t please you is possibly an indication that orthodontic treatment is required as the “perfect” bite is simultaneously the most aesthetically pleasing. In addition you may need orthodontic treatment even whilst being satisfied with your facial aesthetics. Signs would be tooth grinding, pressing, headaches in the morning, muscle spasms, receding gums, speech difficulties, not being able to close lips without consciously doing it, cracking noisy jaw opening.

How often should I floss?

Try to do this daily or at least 3 times a week.

How often should I brush?

Twice daily.

Should I use Mouth Rinse?

Only when specifically told to do so by a dentist or hygienist.

I play sports, what can I use to protect my teeth?

The best protection is a bespoke mouthguard using impressions taken by
your dentist and made by a professional laboratory.

As early as 9 or 10 years of age. Oral hygiene is EXTREMELY important for teenagers as they often don’t brush well (even though they know how to), and often have braces (which complicates the tooth brushing).